U.S. patent number 8,083,583 [Application Number 12/534,482] was granted by the patent office on 2011-12-27 for method and system for managing probability of an outcome in a random generation event.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Scientific Games International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph W. Bennett, III, Charles Holton, Aman Safaei.
United States Patent |
8,083,583 |
Bennett, III , et
al. |
December 27, 2011 |
Method and system for managing probability of an outcome in a
random generation event
Abstract
An online lottery game system and methodology involves, for each
play of the game, a player choosing a number of player indicia from
a field of the indicia. A subset of the indicia is randomly
generated, and the player's indicia is compared to the subset to
determine a winning game play. The number of indicia in the subsets
is varied between different game plays such that a blend of the
winning probabilities for each subset for all of the game plays
produces a desired overall winning probability.
Inventors: |
Bennett, III; Joseph W.
(Suwanee, GA), Holton; Charles (Reno, NV), Safaei;
Aman (Alpharetta, GA) |
Assignee: |
Scientific Games International,
Inc. (Newark, DE)
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Family
ID: |
41608918 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/534,482 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100029362 A1 |
Feb 4, 2010 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61086024 |
Aug 4, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/21; 463/16;
463/17; 463/22; 463/18; 463/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
17/32 (20130101); G07F 17/329 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;463/16-19,21,22 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
PCT Search Report, Nov. 3, 2009. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Suhol; Dmitry
Assistant Examiner: Duffy; David
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dority & Manning, P.A.
Parent Case Text
PRIORITY CLAIM
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/086,024, filed Aug. 4, 2008.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computer-implemented method of conducting a lottery game by a
lottery host computer system, comprising: configuring the lottery
host computer system with instruction files to implement the
lottery game as follows: for each play of the game, a player
choosing a set of player indicia from a total field of indicia;
randomly generating a subset of X number of indicia from the total
field of indicia; for each individual game play, determining
whether the game play is a winning play by comparing the player's
indicia to the subset of indicia to verify if a defined combination
of the player's indicia is contained in the subset of indicia;
establishing a desired overall winning probability for the game
plays by varying the number X of indicia in the subsets between
different game plays such that a blend of the winning probabilities
for each number X for all of the game plays produces the desired
overall winning probability; and assigning a payout to each winning
game play as a function of a predefined overall percentage payout
for the game and the overall winning probability such that the
payout for all expected winning game plays achieves the percentage
payout.
2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the number X of indicia in the
subsets is less than the number of indicia in the total field of
indicia, and the number of player indicia is less than the number X
of indicia in the subsets.
3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the step of establishing the
desired overall winning probability comprises establishing a first
deck containing at least two sets of records, a first set of the
records designating a first number X1 of indicia in the subsets,
and a second set of the records designating a second number X2 of
indicia in the subsets, and wherein the blend of different sets of
records having different X numbers achieves the overall desired
winning probability for the game.
4. The method as in claim 3, wherein the first deck includes a
third set of the records having a third number X3 and a fourth set
of the records having the number X4, wherein the blend of the four
sets of numbers achieves the overall desired winning probability
for the game.
5. The method as in claim 3, wherein the records in the first deck
are randomly shuffled and assigned sequentially to each game
play.
6. The method as in claim 3, wherein the number of records in the
first deck is computed as a function of a defined total number of
game plays.
7. The method as in claim 6, wherein the first deck contains at
least 200,000 records.
8. The method as in claim 3, wherein the step of assigning a payout
to each winning game play as a function of a predefined overall
percentage payout comprises establishing a second deck of records,
with the number of records in the second deck corresponding to the
expected number of winning game plays as a function of the overall
winning probability of the game, each of the records in the second
deck designating a prize payout such that a totality of the payouts
corresponds to the desired percentage payout schedule, and
assigning one of the records in the second deck to each of the game
plays designated as a winning game play.
9. The method as in claim 8, wherein the records in the second deck
are randomly shuffled and assigned sequentially to the winning game
plays.
10. The method as in claim 8, wherein the game includes multiple
winning game play combinations, and further comprising establishing
additional second decks for each combination, and distributing the
prize payout over all of the second decks so as to achieve the
desired percentage payout schedule for all of the possible winning
combinations.
11. A computer-implemented method of conducting a lottery game by a
lottery host computer system, comprising: configuring the lottery
host computer system with instruction files to implement the
lottery game as follows: for each play of the game, a player
choosing a number of player indicia from a total field of indicia;
randomly generating a subset of X number of indicia from the total
field of indicia; for each individual game play, determining
whether the game play is a winning play by comparing the player's
indicia to the subset of indicia to verify if the player's indicia
is contained in the subset of indicia; establishing a desired
overall winning probability for the game plays by establishing a
first deck containing at least two sets of records, a first set of
the records designating a first number X1 of indicia in the
subsets, and a second set of the records designating a second
number X2 of indicia in the subsets, and wherein the blend of
different sets of records having different X numbers is computed to
achieve the overall desired winning probability for the game;
assigning a payout to each winning game play as a function of a
predefined overall percentage payout for the game and the overall
winning probability by establishing a second deck of records, with
the number of records in the second deck corresponding to the
expected number of winning game plays computed by applying the
overall winning probability of the game to the number of records in
the first deck, each of the records in the second deck designating
a prize payout such that a totality of the payouts corresponds to
the desired percentage payout schedule; and assigning one of the
records in the second deck to each of the game plays designated as
a winning game play.
12. The method as in claim 11, wherein the records in the first
deck are randomly shuffled and assigned sequentially to each game
play.
13. The method as in claim 11, wherein the records in the second
deck are randomly shuffled and assigned sequentially to the winning
game plays.
14. The method as in claim 11, wherein the indicia comprises
numbers and the number X of indicia in the subsets is less than the
number of indicia in the total field of indicia, and the number of
player indicia is less than the number X of indicia in the
subsets.
15. A computer-implemented method of conducting a lottery game by a
lottery host computer system, comprising: configuring the lottery
host computer system with instruction files to implement the
lottery game as follows: for each play of the game, a player
choosing a number of player indicia from a total field of indicia;
randomly generating a subset of X number of indicia from the total
field of indicia; for each individual game play, determining
whether the game play is a winning play by comparing the player's
indicia to the subset of indicia to verify if a defined combination
of the player's indicia is contained in the subset of indicia; and
establishing a desired overall winning probability for the game
plays by varying the number X of indicia in the subsets between
different game plays such that a blend of the winning probabilities
for each number X for all of the game plays produces the desired
overall winning probability.
16. The method as in claim 15, wherein the number X of indicia in
the subsets is less than the number of indicia in the total field
of indicia, and the number of player indicia is less than the
number X of indicia in the subsets.
17. The method as in claim 15, wherein the step of establishing the
desired overall winning probability comprises establishing a first
deck containing at least two sets of records, a first set of the
records designating a first number X1 of indicia in the subsets,
and a second set of the records designating a second number X2 of
indicia in the subsets, and wherein the blend of different sets of
records having different X numbers is computed to achieve the
overall desired winning probability for the game.
18. The method as in claim 17, wherein the first deck includes a
third set of the records having a third number X3 and a fourth set
of the records having the number X4, wherein the blend of the four
sets of numbers achieves the overall desired winning probability
for the game.
19. The method as in claim 17, wherein the records in the first
deck are randomly shuffled and assigned sequentially to each game
play.
20. The method as in claim 17, wherein the total number of records
in the first deck corresponds to the total number of game
plays.
21. The method as in claim 20, wherein the first deck contains at
least 200,000 records.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and associated system for
managing probabilities of a desired outcome in a random generation
event, such as a lottery game.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Random generation events serve as the basis for various industrial,
entertainment, and gaming applications. For example, various
well-known types of "online" lottery games allow a player to select
one or more groups of numbers, symbols, and the like, from a
defined set in the hopes of matching a group of the numbers or
symbols randomly generated by the gaming administrator. For
example, lottery games referred to as "Pick-3" are offered in which
a player selects three numbers to match identically with a set of
three numbers randomly generated by the gaming administrator at a
later drawing time. Modifications and versions of this game are
well known.
The probability of a particular outcome of the random generation
event can be mathematically determined as a function of the total
number of objects in the field and the number of randomly generated
objects to be matched, and forms the basis for the parameters of
any manner of probability based application, such as an online
lottery game. For example, a typical lottery game is a probability
based game wherein a set of numbers or other indicia selected by a
player from a field of numbers are compared to a set that is
randomly generated by the gaming administration from the same field
to determine if the player's numbers or indicia match those in the
randomly generated set. The payout for such games is typically a
function of the probability of a winning play. Generally, the size
of the payout for a winning play must be balanced with the
probability of winning, or the quantity of numbers the player must
match to produce a winning outcome. For example, when a large prize
is offered, the game generally requires the player to match more
numbers, as compared to a lower prize that may require a player to
match only a few numbers. The games with higher prizes, however,
typically produce few winners and, thus, may cause players to lose
interest in the game. If the gaming administrator wishes to
increase the probability of winning to produce winners more
frequently by reducing the quantity of numbers a player must match
for a winning outcome, the prize amount for a winning outcome is
also reduced accordingly. The lower prize amount may also cause
players to lose interest in the game.
Conventional online probability games thus have inherent payout
fluctuations that are a factor of probabilities of winning that
must be carefully considered and juggled by the gaming
authority.
Instant win games are also well known and quite popular in the
lottery industry. Typical instant win games are embodied by
scratch-off tickets wherein the player purchases a ticket and
removes an opaque security layer from the play area to instantly
determine if the ticket is a winner based on any manner of game
configuration. Whether or not the ticket is a winner, and the prize
payout, are predetermined events. The probability of winning in an
instant-win game is typically much higher than with online games,
which is attractive to certain individuals. The abundance of
smaller prizes is, however, unattractive to other types of players.
Instant scratch-off games are desirable to the gaming authority in
that the winning probability and payout percentage are
predetermined and carefully managed to achieve a desired payout
percentage for a particular game.
The present invention relates to a system and method of probability
management that has particular usefulness in the lottery industry
in that it provides for an online probability based lottery game
that incorporates the probability management and payout structure
benefits of instant win games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the
following description, or may be obvious from the description, or
may be learned through practice of the invention. It is intended
that the invention include modifications and variations to the
systems and method embodiments described herein.
The present invention provides a unique probability management
methodology and related system that may have utility in any
environment or application wherein it is desired to establish a
particular probability of an outcome in a random generation event.
In a lottery game environment, the probability management
methodology may be combined with a unique payout method and system
to achieve a desired payout schedule in a probability based event,
such as a probability based lottery game.
Although the present probability management and payout percentage
methodologies have particular usefulness with respect to management
and implementation of lottery games, and are described herein by
reference to lottery game embodiments, it should be appreciated
that the methodologies are not limited to lottery games and may be
used in any environment wherein it is desired to establish a
particular outcome probability for randomly generated or seemingly
randomly generated events.
In accordance with certain non-limiting embodiments of the
invention, a method and system for conducting a terminal-based
lottery game are provided. The lottery game includes an online
instant game component, and may include an additional game
component, such as a raffle component. Players purchase the
associated lottery tickets at any one of a plurality of
point-of-sale terminals that may be at any desired location,
including various retail establishments such as convenience stores,
grocery stores, gas stations, and so forth. The plurality of remote
terminals are networked with a central gaming authority control
computer. It should be appreciated that the central "gaming
authority" may be any entity that administers or is responsible for
administration of the lottery game, and may be, for example, a
state or other municipal authority, a game producer, a gaming
organization, and so forth.
In certain embodiments of the lottery game, an individual game play
is initiated by a player completing a game slip wherein the player
designates of defined number of indicia or characters, such as
numbers, from a total field of the indicia presented on the game
slip. For example, the player may be asked to designate a set of
four numbers from a field of numbers 1 through 20 displayed on the
play slip. In an alternative embodiment, the player may be provided
with the option to select a "quick-play" option wherein the four
numbers are randomly generated for the player by the terminal. The
game slip is completed at the terminal by the player, and then
scanned at the terminal. A game ticket is then issued to the player
reflecting the player's designated set of numbers or characters, or
the random set generated by the terminal in response to the
quick-play option.
The game ticket may also immediately reflect whether the numbers or
characters selected by the player, or randomly generated for the
player, constitute a winning ticket based on defined game rules.
The game ticket may thus instantly provide to the player an
indication as to whether a prize has been won in the instant game
component, as explained in greater detail below. In alternate
embodiments, the winning indicia may be made known to the player at
a later time.
It should be appreciated that the particular type of game is not a
limiting factor. The present invention method may be applicable to
any type of probability game wherein the outcome is based on some
relationship between the player's selected indicia and a randomly
generated set of indicia, and the probability of such outcome can
be predicted or computed.
The game ticket may also provide the player with a separate game
component, such as a raffle, wherein a randomly generated raffle
number and instructions related to the raffle component are
provided on the ticket.
In a particular embodiment, the lottery game is based on a popular
theme, such as a game show theme, sports theme, entertainment
theme, and the like. In a non-limiting embodiment described herein,
the lottery game is based on the Wheel of Fortune.TM. game show. In
this embodiment, play of the instant lottery game is initiated by a
paying player submitting a game slip that designates a set of
characters that correspond to positions around a game wheel
depicted on the game ticket. Alternatively, the player may select
the quick-play option wherein the set of characters is randomly
generated for the player. Each position on the game wheel has a
designated value, and a winning event occurs when a predefined
combination of the player's selected positions (or randomly
generated positions) have the same value, with the player winning
this value. For example, the game may require that all, or less
than all, of the player designated characters have the same value,
with a greater prize awarded for a higher number of matches. A
prize may be awarded for subsets of at least two matches, with
different values being possible between different subsets. It
should be appreciated that various combinations of prize
structures, and the presentation thereof, are possible within the
scope and spirit of the invention.
A particularly beneficial aspect of an online instant lottery game
incorporating the technical features disclosed herein is that the
unique probability management system allows the gaming authority to
establish an overall probability of winning and associated payout
schedule that are similar to scratch-off instant lottery games
without eliminating the desirable aspects of an inherent
probability game that allows players to select their play indicia
from a field of indicia. The method involves defining a subset to
have a number ("X") of the indicia from the total field, and then
randomly generating the subset with the X number of indicia. The
player's selected indicia are then compared to the subset of
indicia to determine if the player's selection is a winner
according to the defined game rules. For example, the game may
require that all of the player's indicia are contained (i.e.,
"matched") in the subset for a winning game play. In alternative
embodiments, a lesser prize may be awarded for a lesser number of
matches. Prizes may be awarded for subsets of matches, and so
forth.
Generation of the random subset from the total field of indicia
occurs for each game play, and the number X of indicia in the
subsets may vary between plays. For example, in one particular
embodiment of this process, a first game play may result in
generation of a first subset having a first number ("X1") of
indicia, and the second game play may result in generation of a
second subset having a second different number ("X2") of indicia,
and so forth. Based on a total number of game plays, the number X
of indicia in the subsets may be varied between different plays,
wherein each number X generates a unique probability of winning. In
this way, the gaming authority can compute a blend of subsets for
the course of the game having different numbers (X1, X2, X3, . . .
) of indicia to achieve a desired overall winning probability for
all of the game plays. The number X of indicia in the respective
subsets is less than the number of indicia in the total field, and
the number of player indicia is less than the number X of indicia
in the subsets. Different combinations of these variables are also
within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Once all of the game plays have been played or otherwise exhausted
for the generated blend of subsets, the subsets may be recycled
(with or without shuffling) for continuation of the game, or a new
game may be implemented under the same procedures.
In a unique embodiment, the prize structure for all of the winning
game plays is randomly generated by the gaming authority to achieve
a desired payout schedule as a function of the designed winning
probability and overall number of anticipated plays of the game.
For example, the designed winning probability for the game may be 1
in 4, based on a total of 100,000 plays of the game. In this
situation, the gaming authority may assign a payout to each of the
expected 25,000 winning game plays that achieves a desired overall
payout percentage over the course of 100,000 plays. The payout
schedule can be tailored to the prize structure for any game. For
example, the prize structure for a game having only one possible
winning combination (e.g., all of the player's indicia must be
matched in the subset) will be different from the prize structure
wherein multiple winning combinations are possible (e.g., 2 of 4,
or 3 of 4 matches are awarded lesser prize amounts). One method for
implementing this payout schedule is discussed in greater detail
herein.
One method for establishing the desired overall winning probability
may be implemented by establishing a first "deck" containing at
least two sets of "records"; a first set of the records designating
a first number X1 of indicia in the subsets, and a second set of
the records designating a second number X2 of indicia in the
subsets. It is to be understood that the term "deck" is used herein
to connote any manner of compilation or set of items. The term
"record" is used herein to connote any manner of file, value, data
point, and the like. Thus, in one embodiment, a "deck" of "records"
may refer to a computer generated file that defines distinct values
X, wherein each of the values is later retrieved and used to
generate a subset from the total field of indicia having the
defined number X of indicia. In an alternate embodiment, the actual
subsets having the defined number X of indicia may be randomly
generated and stored as a component of the records, thus
eliminating the step for subsequent random generation of the
subsets. The number of records in the first set with number X1, and
number of records in the second set with number X2, are computed to
achieve the desired overall winning probability for the game based
on a designated number of game plays.
It should be appreciated that the first deck may include additional
sets of records. For example the first deck may include a third set
of the records having a third number X3 of indicia, and a fourth
set of the records having the number X4 of indicia, wherein the
blend of the four sets of numbers achieves the overall desired
winning probability for the game.
The records in the first deck may be assigned to the individual
game plays by various methods. In one embodiment, the records are
initially generated for the total number of game plays, randomly
shuffled, and stored. The records are then assigned sequentially to
each individual game play.
The number of records in the first deck will generally be based on
a theoretical number of total game plays, for example, 200,000 game
plays. The total number of game plays is defined by the gaming
authority to achieve a close approximation to the desired overall
win probability. A greater number of games allows for a closer
approximation to the win probability. The total number of records
in the first deck will generally correspond to the total number of
game plays.
It should be appreciated that the invention encompasses any manner
of gaming method that implements the unique probability management
system, and that such methods may or may not include features
related to the payout percentage methodology described herein.
In certain embodiments, a step of assigning a payout to each
winning game play is provided as a function of a predefined overall
percentage payout. This feature provides the gaming authority with
the ability to achieve a closely controlled payout percentage
similar to a scratch-off instant lottery game. This may be
accomplished by establishing a second deck of records, with the
number of records in the second deck corresponding generally to the
expected number of winning game plays as a function of the overall
winning probability of the game. Each of the records in the second
deck designates a prize payout such that a totality of the payouts
corresponds to the desired percentage payout schedule as a function
of the prize structure for the particular game. One of the records
in the second deck is assigned to each of the game plays designated
as a winning game play. The records in the second may be assigned a
payout value, randomly shuffled, and then assigned sequentially to
the respective winning game plays.
As mentioned, it may be desirable to include an additional game
component with each lottery ticket, such as a raffle component. In
such embodiments, a raffle number is randomly generated and
assigned to each ticket to be used in a subsequent raffle drawing.
The raffle drawing includes all assigned raffle numbers issued for
a given time period prior to the raffle. In this way, a winner is
guaranteed in the raffle drawing.
The raffle may be conducted in conjunction with an independent
third party event. This third party event may be any event that is
unrestrained by the lottery and that awards a prize that is
independent of the lottery. A typical third party event may be, for
example, a contest or game wherein contestants compete for an
award. The lottery raffle prize may be designated at a fixed amount
prior to the raffle, or may be a function of the winning
contestant's award. For example, the raffle prize may have a value
equivalent to the value of the contestant's award, or may have an
increased value based on a multiplication of the winning
contestant's award.
In a unique embodiment, the independent third party event is a
televised game show. Game shows such as the Wheel of Fortune.TM. or
The Price is Right.TM. have a vast following of viewers, and
lottery games affiliated with or licensed by the game shows will
have great appeal to these viewers. In this regard, the instant
lottery game component may have a theme based on the game show, and
the raffle component prize is based on the winnings of the game
show contestant. The raffle drawing can be conducted in conjunction
with the game show, and may be, for example, televised prior to,
during, or immediately after the game show. Alternatively, the
raffle may be conducted by the gaming authority at a later time.
The lottery ticket will instruct the players as to the particular
date and time of the game show that determines the raffle prize,
and may also provide the time and date of the raffle drawing. With
this unique interaction between the lottery game and the game show,
the game show is also promoted via the lottery game in that lottery
ticket purchasers are encouraged to view the televised game
shows.
With many known televised game shows, the prize awarded to the
winning contestant may be any combination of cash, merchandise, or
other items. In this event, the raffle prize may have a cash value
that is at least equivalent to the value of the prize or prizes won
by the game show contestant.
Other objects and advantages of the method and system of the
present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art
through practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a game slip that may be used by a
player to initiate play of an embodiment of a lottery game in
accordance with aspects of the invention.
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a lottery ticket that may be used
in play of an embodiment of a lottery game in accordance with
aspects of the invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2b are tables with representative inputs and outputs
to a probability management method for an online lottery game
depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B having an overall winning probability
of 1 in 4.
FIG. 3 is an operational chart illustrating use of a first deck of
records for achieving a defined overall winning probability with
the probability management system represented in FIGS. 2A and
2B.
FIG. 4 is an operational chart illustrating use of a second deck of
records to achieve a desired percentage payout structure for an
online instant lottery game.
FIG. 5 is a diagram view of a system that may be used for
implementing embodiments of the gaming methodology described
herein.
FIG. 6 is a diagram view of system components that may be used for
implementing certain embodiments of the gaming methodology
described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made to one or more embodiments of the system
and methodology of the invention as illustrated in the figures. It
should be appreciated that each embodiment is presented by way of
explanation of aspects of the invention, and is not meant as a
limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or
described as part of one embodiment may be used with another
embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that
the invention include these and other modifications that come
within the scope and spirit of the invention.
The figures depict the unique probability management and payout
percentage methods implemented for an online instant lottery game.
As explained above, the invention is not limited to lottery game
applications, and includes use in any environment wherein the
benefits of the invention are applicable. With respect to lottery
games, the invention is not limited to any particular type of
lottery game. It should be appreciated that lottery game embodiment
provided herein is for illustrative purposes only.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an embodiment of an online instant
win lottery game may be initiated at lottery terminal locations
provided by a gaming authority by players paying a fee and
completing a game slip 10. Referring to FIG. 1A, the game slip 10
may include any manner of indicia 12 that identifies the game with
a particular theme, such as poker, or an affiliated/licensed game
show, sports team or event, and so forth. For embodiments that
include an additional game component, the game slip 10 may include
a region related to the respective component. Area 14 is the
player's selection area for the instant online lottery game,
wherein the player is asked to designate their selection of indicia
from a total field of the indicia. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment, the player designates four numbers from the total field
of twenty numbers. Alternatively, the player may select the
quick-play option 20 wherein the set of four numbers will be
randomly selected by the terminal for the player.
An additional game area 16 informs the player of the existence of
the additional game component and provides the player with
information and instructions related to the additional game.
At a lottery terminal location, the game slip 10 is scanned and a
game ticket 22 (FIG. 1B) is generated. The game ticket 22 includes
the same or different indicia 12 related to the game theme, as well
as an instant game play area 24, and an additional game area 26 if
an additional game component is offered. The instant game play area
24 presents the results of the instant lottery game to the player
in a manner consistent with defined game rules and the game theme.
For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a wheel 30 is depicted.
This wheel 30 is widely recognized as symbolic of the Wheel of
Fortune.TM. television game. The wheel 30 includes distinct
positions 32, with each position 32 having a cash value designated
therein. The total field of indicia or numbers (in this case,
twenty numbers) presented on the game slip 14 are located around
the wheel 30, with each number associated with a given wheel
position 32. The game ticket 22 visibly indicates the set of
numbers either selected by the player via the game slip 10, or
randomly generated for the player. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment, the player selected numbers 2, 10, 16, and 17 via the
game slip 10. These selections are indicated on the game ticket 22
by arrows and/or by corresponding shading of the associated wheel
positions 32. Players can readily determine whether they have won
by simply examining the shaded or marked wheel positions 32.
An indication may be provided on the ticket 22 to indicate a
winning game play in accordance with the game rules. For example,
the game may provide that, if any two shaded or marked wheel
positions 22 contain the same dollar amount, the player wins that
dollar amount, as in the illustrated embodiment wherein $25.00
appears in two of the four shaded wheel positions 32. Thus, the
player wins $25.00. Because four positions are selected by the
player, it is possible that the player can win twice in the instant
game lottery component. For example, in the game ticket 22 shown in
FIG. 1B, positions 16 and 10 indicate $50.00. Thus, the player wins
$50.00 in addition to the $25.00 indicated by positions 2 and 17,
for a total of $75.00.
In an alternate embodiment of the game illustrated in FIGS. 1A and
1B, the game rules may require that all four of the player's
selected positions contain the same dollar amount for a winning
game play. In still alternate embodiments, lesser prize awards may
be made for three of four, or two of four matches, and so
forth.
For each game ticket 22 generated, the relative location of the
characters 18 around the wheel 30 represents a random generation
event wherein a set of the indicia is randomly generated from a
total field of the indicia and compared to the player's selected
indicia. The manner of presenting the results of this event may
vary widely between different types of games. For example, in the
illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the premise of the game
is that the player picks four numbers from the field of one to
twenty numbers, and the game randomly generates four numbers from
the same field. If some combination of the player's selected
numbers match or relate to the randomly generated set of numbers
according to the game rules, then is the play is a winning game
play. FIG. 1B. is a representation that all four of the player's
selected numbers were matched by the randomly generated set, with
the dollar amounts provided at each wheel position to indicate the
prize award.
Thus, the basic play action for the online instant-win may be
summarized as follows: a player designates their choice of indicia
or characters, such as numbers, from a total field of the indicia
or characters. For example, the player may be asked to designate a
set of 4 numbers from a field of numbers 1 through 20. In an
alternative embodiment, the player may be provided with the option
to select a "quick-play" option wherein the 4 numbers are randomly
generated from the total field for the player by the terminal. A
game ticket is issued to the player that reflects the player's
selection of indicia, and also reflects a randomly generated set of
indicia derived from the total field of indicia in accordance with
the probability management method. If the player's selected indicia
are contained in, or otherwise relate to the randomly generated set
according to the game rules, then the game play is a winning play.
This is a probability based game, and the invention provides a
methodology designed to minimize payout fluctuations inherent in
such probability based games. Aspects of the probability management
system and methodology are explained by reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B,
and 3, as set forth below.
FIG. 2A presents a table of representative inputs for the
probability management method. For example, in the Wheel of
Fortune.TM. game illustrated in the play slip and ticket of FIGS.
1A and 1B, there are 20 slices or wedges on the wheel 30. Thus, in
this particular game, the total field of indicia has 20 objects.
The player selects 4 of the wedges on the wheel. The gaming
authority has designated a desired overall probability of winning
in the game of 1 in 4 based on a total of 240,000 individual game
plays. A ticket price may also be designated, such as $2.00, $5.00,
and so forth. The gaming authority may also designate a desired
percentage payout schedule for the instant online game. In the
illustrated embodiment, this payout percentage is 55%.
The table B in FIG. 2B represents the outputs of the probability
management method for this particular game that results in
generation of the first deck for a game of 240,000 individual game
plays. The first two columns in table B illustrate the various win
probabilities. For example, if a player were to randomly pick 4
numbers from the field of 1 to 20 numbers, and the system were to
randomly generate a subset having X number of indicia from the
total field of indicia of 1 to 20, the various win probabilities
are provided. For example, if the subset contains 14 of the indicia
(X=14), then the odds that the player's 4 selected indicia match
the subset of 14 randomly generated indicia is 1 in 4.84.
Similarly, for a subset of 15 of the indicia (X=15), then the
probability that the player's 4 selected indicia are contained in
the subset is 1 in 3.55. Those skilled in the art of computing
probabilities recognize that the probabilities may be determined
according to the following relationship:
.times..times..times..times..function..function. ##EQU00001##
Thus, it should be appreciated that a blend of records in the first
deck having different probabilities may be computed to achieve an
approximate overall win probability of for example; 1 in 4. In
other words, the first deck can include different sets of records
having numbers X1, X2, X3, . . . wherein each of the X numbers has
a different probability of winning. In the illustrated embodiment,
the deck is generated based on a total of 240,000 game plays and
includes 101,373 records with X1 equal to 14 indicia (probability
of winning of 1 in 4.84), and 138,627 records with X2 equal to 15
(probability of winning of 1 in 3.55). The blend of these records
results in an overall probability of winning of 1 in 3.99999686
(Table C), which closely approximates the overall win probability
of 1 in 4. The number of records having different X numbers may be
determined by the following relationship:
.times..times..times..times..times..times. ##EQU00002##
##EQU00002.2## .times..times..times..times..times..times..times.
##EQU00002.3## Where: S=Total Deck Size (No. of Records)
P.sub.1=Probability when Lottery chooses X.sub.1 numbers
P.sub.2=Probability when Lottery chooses X.sub.2 numbers n=Number
of cards in deck with X.sub.1 P.sub.d=Desired probability
Table B in FIG. 2B represents an embodiment wherein the first deck
contains two sets of records, with the first set of records
designating a first number X1 equal to 14, and a second set of
records designating a second number X2 equal to 15, with the blend
of the different sets of records having different X numbers
achieving the overall desired winning probability that closely
approximates 1 in 4 (1 in 3.99999686). In alternative embodiments,
the first deck may include additional sets having different
numbers, X3, X4, and so forth. For example, the first deck may
include a third set of records having a third number X3 equal to
13, and a fourth set of records having a number X4 equal to 16.
Again, the number of records in each set is computed such that the
total blend of records produces the overall win probability of 1 in
4 for all of the contemplated game plays.
FIG. 3 further illustrates an embodiment of the probability
management methodology. The first deck is represented by the
compilation 50 and includes individual records 52. Each record 52
designates an X value 54a, 54b, and so forth. In the illustrated
embodiment, deck 50 includes a first subset having numbers X1 equal
to 14, and a second subset having numbers X2 equal to 15. Every
game play is assigned one of the records, and the respective X
number dictates to the terminal system how many numbers to randomly
generate from the total field of the numbers 1 through 20 for the
respective game play. In an alternate embodiment, the step of
randomly generating the X number of indicia for each record may be
done at the time of generating the records, such that each record
contains the respective X number of randomly generated numbers from
the total field of numbers. In this scenario, the terminal system
simply retrieves a record for each game play and uses the subset of
indicia that was previously randomly generated and associated with
the respective record.
In the illustrated embodiment, the records are assigned
sequentially to each individual game play. Thus, the first record
in the deck 50 instructs the terminal system to generate 15 numbers
from the field of numbers 1 through 20 for the first game play, or
use the 15 numbers previously generated and stored with the record.
The second record instructs the system to generate 14 numbers from
the total field of numbers 1 through 20 for the second game play,
and so forth.
Still referring to FIG. 3, the resulting subset of numbers for each
of the game plays is compared with the player's selected numbers to
determine whether the game play is a winning play according to the
defined game rules. In the illustrated embodiment, the player's 4
selected numbers are 2, 10, 16, and 17. The next sequential record
52 in the deck 50 resulted in generation or retrieval of 15
different numbers randomly generated from the total field of
numbers 1 through 20, as illustrated in the chart in FIG. 3. The
players 4 selected numbers are contained within the subset of 15
numbers. Thus, this particular game play is a winning game play.
The game rules may define that a lesser number of matches, such as
3 of 4, or 2 of 4, result in a winning game play, but for a lesser
prize amount.
In the illustrated embodiment, the individual records in the first
deck 50 are generated, randomly shuffled, and then assigned
sequentially to respective game plays. In alternative embodiments,
assignment of the individual records may also be conducted
randomly.
Thus, it should be appreciated that for a given number of game
plays (i.e. 240,000 individual game plays), a desired overall win
probability can be established by varying the number of randomly
generated indicia within the subsets of the different game plays. A
theoretical total number of game plays is defined by the gaming
authority to achieve a close approximation to the desired overall
win probability. A greater number of games allows for a closer
approximation to the win probability. An individual game play will
have a win probability defined by its individual X number. For
example, a first player may have a win probability that may be the
same as or varies as compared to subsequent players, and so forth.
However, the number of game plays having different win
probabilities is computed such that the win probability considering
all of the game plays achieves a desired overall win probability
and on average equalizes the odds over time. This feature is not
apparent to the individual players in that a player cannot
determine the X number for the subset used in any particular game
play.
Thus, the gaming authority can establish an online instant win game
having an overall win probability dictated by the gaming authority
for the totality of the game plays. Once the first deck has been
depleted, or otherwise exhausted, the gaming authority may simply
recycle the deck to continue play of the game. The recycled deck
may be used in the first sequential order, or may be reshuffled.
Alternatively, the gaming authority may compute an entirely
different deck. This process is also seamless and invisible to the
players.
The probability management method also allows the gaming authority
to achieve a desired payout schedule for the totality of the
individual games. Referring to FIG. 4, this feature may be
accomplished by establishing a second deck 56 of individual records
58, with each record 58 designating a prize payout value 60. The
number of individual records 58 within the second deck 56 is
computed as a function of the total number of game plays used to
define the first deck and specified overall win probability. For
example, referring to FIG. 4, if 240,000 plays of the instant
online game were contemplated for the first deck, as discussed
above with respect to deck 1 in FIG. 3, then approximately 1 in 4
of the individual game plays will be a winning play. In other
words, approximately 60,000 of the game plays will be winning
plays. Thus, deck 2 is configured to contain 60,000 records.
A prize payout value 60 is assigned to each of the records 58 such
that the total sum of the values 60 corresponds to a desired
percentage payout. For example, referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B
wherein 240,000 individual game plays are contemplated at a ticket
price of $2.00 for each game play, the gaming authority may
designate a percentage payout of 55% for the totality of the game.
This payout percentage may be achieved by assigning a combination
of prize payout values to the individual records 58 in deck 2.
Referring to FIG. 4, for example, the deck 56 may include records
58 indicating a payout value 60 of $5.00, $2.00, $15.00, $10.00,
$1000.00, $100.00, and so forth. Various combinations of records
having different payout values are obviously available to achieve
the total payout value corresponding to the desired percentage
payout of 55%.
After the records 58 are generated, they may be randomly shuffled
and applied sequentially to each winning game play. For example,
referring to FIG. 4, the first record 58 in the deck 56 is applied
to the first winning game play from the deck 50 of FIG. 3 so that
this winning game play has a payout value of $5.00. The third
winning game play (based on the first deck 50) wins $15.00. The
sixth winning game play from the first deck wins $100.00, and so
forth.
Thus, by managing the probability of winning over the course of the
game as described above, the gaming authority can closely
approximate the number of game plays that will be winning plays. A
desired payout percentage schedule may then be readily applied to
this known number of winning plays to achieve designated overall
win probability and precisely controlled payout schedule.
It should be appreciated that the above methodology may be readily
tailored for probability games that include multiple winning
combinations. For example, in the game illustrated above, the game
rules may define that 3 of 4, or 2 of 4, matches between the
player's selected numbers and the randomly generated set of 4
numbers also results in a winning game play, but for a lesser prize
amount as compared to 4 of 4 matches. The above methodology may be
used to compute respective second prize decks associated with the
lesser prize structures, as graphically illustrated as "Deck 3" in
FIG. 4. For example, in the above described game, the gaming
authority can readily predict the number of game plays having 3 of
4 matches, or 2 of 4 matches, and can generate a respective second
prize deck for each scenario that has a number of records
corresponding to the predicted number of winning game plays for
each respective prize structure. Each of these records may include
a prize award, with the records being assigned sequentially to
winning game plays having 3 of 4 matches, or 2 of 4 matches, and so
forth.
Distribution of the prize money between the various second decks is
done to achieve the overall desired payout percentage. In other
words, if the game rules define that a winning game play must
include 4 of 4 matches, then the entire amount of prize money as a
function of the designed payout percentage is distributed over a
single second deck, as in the embodiment of FIG. 4 above. If the
game rules define that a lesser number of matches also win a lesser
prize award, then some amount of the prize money is distributed
over an additional second deck generated for the lesser prize
structure. The prize amounts may vary within a range for each deck.
For example, the prize award for 4 of 4 matches may vary between $2
and $1,000, as in FIG. 4, and the prize award for 3 of 4 matches
may vary between $2 and $100. The prize award for 2 of 4 matches
may vary between $2 and $10.
The lottery terminal can be readily configured to compare the
player's selected indicia to the randomly generated indicia, and
determine and display the winning prize amount on the game ticket
22 according to the game rules.
Lottery games incorporating the probability management method and
percentage payout structure described above may be implemented by
various system configurations. FIG. 5 is a block diagram
illustrating an exemplary basic system configuration in accordance
with principles of the invention. Referring to FIG. 5, a game
provider D may design a lottery game and upload the necessary files
for conducting the game to a secure server E that is maintained by
the game provider. The files may also be separately stored in a
secure storage device F. The game provider may provide to any one
or combination of gaming authorities, such as separate states,
jurisdictions, and so forth, hardware "black boxes" I for
conducting the lottery games. For example, individual gaming
authorities represented by lottery host primary sites H1, H2, and
H3 in FIG. 5 may be provided with the black boxes I. These boxes I
would include file instructions, programs, the first and second
decks of records, and any other software necessary for conducting
the game and interfacing with the authority's network. A primary
set of the boxes I may be provided, as well as a backup set J. At
least one set of the black boxes will reside in the gaming
authority's primary data center, and these boxes are connected to
the gaming authority's network so as to be in communication with
individual online vendors K within the gaming authority's
jurisdiction.
The lottery game files may be downloaded from the game provider's
server E to a storage device G, such as a USB storage device, which
is then physically delivered to the individual lottery host primary
sites H1, H2, and H3. The game files are transferred from the
storage device G to the black boxes I previously provided to the
host sites H1, H2, and H3. The online vendor systems K can only
communicate with the black boxes I using the game provider's secure
protocol and definitions. This communication is necessary to pass a
player's selections to the black boxes I, and to receive the
results of the online instant play generated by the black boxes I.
For audit and reporting purposes, the black boxes I are also
configured to run special programs to generate reports of all
transactions processed during certain periods of time, and so
forth, as requested by the lottery host primary site and/or game
provider.
Referring to FIG. 6, an individual game play is initiated by a
player submitting a play slip 10 at a lottery terminal L. The
player's selected indicia are transmitted via online vendor's
server K to the black boxes I provided to the host H by the game
provider. The decks of records discussed above with respect to the
probability management and percentage payout methods and systems
are contained in the boxes, and for each game play, the boxes I
increment the first deck to determine the number X of indicia in
the subset of indicia. The subset having the X number of indicia is
then randomly generated from the total field of indicia, and the
result of the game play is provided to the player via the ticket
22. In the invent that the game play is a winning game play (i.e.
the player's selection is contained in the subset of randomly
generated indicia), then the black boxes I increment the second
deck of records related to the payout percentage system. The payout
value associated with the respective record is assigned to the
winning game play and indicated on the ticket 22.
Preferably, the set of primary black boxes I are configured so that
each of the black boxes functions to implement the game. Thus, in
the event that one of the boxes is not available, the second box I
in the primary set can perform the exact game functions. The same
applies to the backup set of boxes J.
As discussed, an additional game component may be provided with the
online lottery game and related to the theme of the online game.
Referring to FIG. 1B, a portion 26 of the game ticket 22 provides
to the player a randomly generated entry into the additional game,
for example a unique raffle number randomly generated at the
terminal. These raffle numbers are communicated to the central
gaming authority, and all of the assigned raffle numbers are
entered into a subsequent drawing. Because only assigned numbers
are in the pool of raffle numbers, a winner is guaranteed for each
drawing. The area 26 in the ticket indicates to the player the time
and manner of drawing the raffle number, as well as the raffle
prize, and any other information related to the raffle drawing.
It a particularly unique embodiment, the raffle drawing may be
conducted as a portion of an event related to the theme of the
lottery game. For example, the lottery theme may relate to a game
show, with the raffle being conducted in conjunction with the show,
for example by being incorporated into broadcasting of the show by
a local affiliate. The local affiliate may coordinate with the
gaming authority to draw the raffle number during an intermission
in the show, or immediately after the show. In still an alternative
embodiment, the gaming authority may conduct the raffle drawing at
a later time independent of the show time.
It should also be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art
that modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments of
the system and methodology described herein without departing from
the scope and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *